Nearly all trains in India are operated by the government-run Indian Railways (IR)[1].

IR is the third largest rail network in the world, and the rail system is efficient, if not always on schedule. Tracks running well over 60,000 kilometers help connect about 7500 stations, ferrying nearly 20 million people every day. Although distances in India are long and Indian trains aren't the world's best, traveling in them can add a fascinating new dimension to a visitor's experience. There is virtually no better way to make friends with the local people and see the spectacular and diverse Indian countryside. On many routes the railways are the fastest and cheapest way to get around.

All regular trains in India are either super-fast, express/mail, fast passenger, passenger or local/suburban trains. The broad hierarchy from luxurious to normal is as follows:

A schematic map of India's rail network, color-coded by gauge

Tejas —These are currently the most luxurioustrains running on limited routes.Have ammenities such as more comfortable seats,TV,more legroom.Fare is 20-30% more than that of shatabdhi.

Duronto — these are air-conditioned as well as non-air-conditioned non-stop trains offering an experience of luxury combined with punctuality and to add to it the expense of travel is lesser than Rajdhani [2].

Rajdhani Express — these are fully air-conditioned superfast overnight trains, having only AC sleeper accommodation, that run between the National Capital (Delhi) and each state capital.

Gatimaan Express — the fastest train in India, taking 100 minutes to cover the 187km[3] journey from Delhi to Agra.

Humsafar express — these are fully air conditioned superfast overnight trains, having only AC sleeper accomodation that runs between major cities.They have ammenities such as refrigerator,food heater,vending machines that serves milk/tea/coffee at Rs10,CCTV cameras,more comfortable berths and abundance of dustbins.These trains only have AC 3 tier accomodation.You can tell these trains apart from other trains due to its design.

Double Decker Express — these are like the Shatabdi Express trains, but double-deck (hence the name) and only convey AC Chair Car accommodation.

Indian Railways operates trains to various hill stations in India. Travelling on them is a delightful experience, with the tiny trains passing through tunnels, over bridges, around curves and loops amid spectacular scenery. The three mentioned below are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

A DHR train on the Batasia Loop near Ghoom

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR)[5] —Winding its way over the steep and torturous foothills of the Himalayas, the 'toy train' takes six hours to cover the 83km distance from New Jalpaiguri (NJP) to Darjeeling. Completed in 1883, the railway follows the road (and mostly shares the same bed) and uses an interesting system of reverses (the trains climbs into a sliding and then goes into reverse to climb up the next section of the hill, sort of like a sideways V) and loops (the track loops around and crosses itself) to navigate the steep climb. Batasia Loop, at a tor point near Darjeeling just beyond the town of Ghoom, is the most famous because of its great views.

The Kalka-Shimla Railway[6] —The railway from Kalka to Simla was completed in 1903, the final stage in the connection of Calcutta, then the capital of British India, with Shimla, the summer capital. The 96km railroad runs through the magnificent scenery of the Shivalik Hills, up valleys ringed by high mountains, across 864 stone bridges built like Roman viaducts, and through 107 tunnels, the longest over a kilometer (1144m) in length.

Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR)[7] —The steepest mountain railway in India, the NMR climbs the 6159 feet from Mettupalayam to Udhagmandalam over a distance of 46km, with gradients of 1:12 in some stretches. Completed in 1899, it is the only railway in India to use a rack and pinion system to climb the steep gradient. The train passes through 16 tunnels, over 250 bridges and around 205 sharp curves, with the breathtaking scenery of the Nilgiri Hills visible all along the way.

Other trains not a part of world heritage site are:

Neral-Matheran Railway[8] —Neral - Matheran is a 20km, patch which cut into the Sahyadris. Neral is accessible by Mumbai Suburban Railway. It lies on Mumbai-Chennai Mainline. It takes about 1hr 20min for train to cover this patch. Matheran hill station is situated 800m above sea level and was established by Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy. Matheran was discovered in 1850 and the governor of Mumbai Lord Elphinstone lead foundation of the railway. The 2ft narrow gauge zig zag rail was opened in 1907. Four pair of trains operate on this route except mansoon where only one pair operates.

One of the luxurious ways to explore the most prominent tourist destinations and attractions in India is to opt for luxury train travel. The history of luxury train traveling in India dates back to the days of erstwhile maharajas who used to travel in opulent personal carriages for purpose of state visits, hunting and personal occasions. In the year 1982, Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation launched Palace on Wheels in collaboration with Indian Railways to revive the art of elegant traveling in India. Palace on Wheels was launched to promote tourism in Rajasthan and cater exclusively to the overseas traveler and offer them a hassle free, all-inclusive and opulent option of traveling to the royal destinations in Rajasthan. Palace on Wheels is still the most revered luxury train in India. Nowadays there are a total of 6 luxury train plying different routes and offering a total of 11 pre-packaged itineraries.

The Palace on Wheels[9]— India’s most authentic luxury train, the Palace on Wheels does an eight-day loop from New Delhi with stops and sightseeing tours in Jaipur, Ranthambore, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur, and Agra. The train is equipped with modern amenities such as internet connection, live television, dining cars, bar & sitting lounge, guest cabins with attached bathroom and even a spa. The all inclusive prices of the Palace on Wheels start from US $340 per person per night on triple occupancy basis in the lean season and US $450 for the same in peak season (October-March). It is advisable to make bookings on this train well in advance as the train is sometimes booked out months ahead.

The Deccan Odyssey[10]— Second luxury train introduced in India after the huge success of Palace on Wheels in Rajasthan, the Deccan Odyssey was a joint initiative of Maharashtra State Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and Indian Railways to promote tourism in Maharashtra. The itinerary of this luxury rail tour is designed to offer the cultural and historical insights to the guest at some of the most significant destinations in Maharashtra. The 7 nights/8 days itinerary beginning from Mumbai crisscrosses some of the most mesmerizing landscape along the verdant Western Ghats and the Konkan Coast. This luxury train tour package also includes 2 days halt in the tiny emerald of Goa, which is a very popular global beach destination. The Deccan Odyssey fare starts from US $315 per person per night on triple occupancy basis in the lean season (April & September) and US $425 for the same in the peak season (October-March).

Starting this year MTDC has given the train on lease to Cox and Kings, one of the oldest travel agencies in the world. The Coxs and Kings India will now operate and manage the luxury train service and routes of the Deccan Odyssey. The company has announced 10 routes or journeys starting this year that include several short itineraries along with usual 7 days journeys from Delhi and Mumbai. Deccan Odyssey will also operate short tours across major tourist routes such as the Golden Triangle.

The Golden Chariot[11]— Named after the famous Stone Chariot in Hampi, a World Heritage Site, the Golden Chariot offers two weeklong itineraries across destinations in South India. Golden Chariot is the only luxury train in India offering luxury tours in South India. This Indian luxury train does two eight-day loop from Bangalore. There are two journeys offered by the train named Splendor of the South and Pride of the South. Whereas the Pride of the South covers destionations in the Southern State of Karnataka, the Splendor of the South cuts across the state borders and covers prominent destinations in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Karnataka. Some of the facilities offered in the train include restaurants, bar, lounges, gym, business center, spa, Wi-Fi internet, cabins with attached bathroom and disable friendly coaches.

The Golden Chariot Pride of the South itinerary begins from Yeshwantpur Station in Bangalore and covers Mysore, Srirangapatna, Kabini, the historical sites of Shravanabelagola, Belur, Halebidu, Hampi, Badami, Pattadakal, Aihole and finally the beaches of Goa during its 8 days loop. Prices of Golden Chariot Pride of the South starts from US $440 per person per night on triple sharing basis and reaches as high as US $754 for the same on single occupancy basis.

The Golden Chariot Splendor of the South itinerary take the guests on voyage across Bangalore, Chennai, Pondicherry, Thanjavur, Madurai, Poovar, Thiruvanathapuram and Kochi. The attractions of this luxury train tour include Auroville, Vidhan Soudha, Rock Fort Temple, Kumarakom backwaters, Meenakshi Temple, Chinese Fishing Nets, Jewish Synagogue and UNESCO World Heritage sites Group of Monuments at Mamallapuram and Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur. This prices for Golden Chariot Splendor of the South starts from US $545 per person per night on triple sharing basis and reaches as high as US $831 on sigle occupancy basis.

Royal Rajasthan on Wheels[12]— Royal Rajasthan on Wheels takes you on a whirlwind tour across princely land of Rajasthan. Spectacular fortresses, resplendent palaces and diverse culture await the travelers in Rajasthan which used to be the land of Rajput maharajas in the days of yore. The itinerary of the train include tours to Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Khajuraho, Varanasi, Agra and Delhi and span across 7 nights and 8 days. Attractions include the Taj Mahal, Amber Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Mehrangarh Fort, Ranthambore National Park and Eastern and Western Group of Temples at Khajuraho.

Maharajas' Express[13]— Latest luxury train in India, Maharajas' Express is touted as the India’s answer to the Orient Express. This luxury tourist train offers 5 itineraries 3 of which are pan-Indian tours and 2 are golden triangle tours. The Maharajas’ Express journeys are named the Heritage of India, the Indian Splendor, the Indian Panorama, Gems of India and Treasures of India. Maharajas Express also happens to be one of the costliest luxury tourist train rides in the world with fare starting from US $3580 per person per journey and reaching as high as US $22000 per person per journey for Presidential Suite.

AC First (1A), the most comfortable class to travel in, includes lockable four-berth and two-berth (coupe) compartments. The carriages are clean (and carpeted) and the toilets are much cleaner than any other toilets you get to see on Indian trains. Sheets, pillows and blankets are provided (an attendant makes the beds at night). AC First Class carriages are usually found only on important overnight trains and are the most expensive class. Note that 1AC is almost indistinguishable from 2AC except for having a lockable compartment (the usefulness of which depends totally on your compartment-mates) and slightly wider bed space, but is significantly more expensive.

AC 2 Tier (2A) Passengers sleep on four berths in an open cabin or on two berths that are positioned lengthwise along the side of the carriage. Each cabin has a curtain for privacy and each side berth has its own curtain for privacy. There are four toilets, two at each end of the carriage, and usually include a mix of western and eastern style loos, spottily provided with toilet paper. An attendant brings around blankets, sheets and pillows.

AC 3 Tier (3A) is similar to 2 Tier, the significant differences being the additional middle-bunk in the cabins (but not on the sides). Recently, Indian Railways has added a curtain in each cabin for privacy and each side berth has its own curtain for privacy similar to AC 2 Tier coach. This can make it uncomfortable to sit up straight during the morning if the person in the middle-bunk is a heavy sleeper. An attendant brings around sheets, blankets, and pillows in the evening. Because there are more people around, AC 3 Tier tends to be noisier than AC 2 Tier.

AC 3 Tier Economy (3E) is generally found in Garib Rath trains - it is similar to 3A but with the presence of a middle berth on the side too making it 9 berths in a bay. Unlike 3A, there are no curtains and bedding is not included in the fare. 3E is cheaper compared to 3A.

First Class (FC), the way the Raj travelled, has mostly disappeared from Indian Railways in favour of Air Conditioned carriages. Like AC First Class, berths are arranged in four-berth and two-berth (coupe) lockable cabins but the similarity ends there. No bedding is provided unless booked in advance (there is an extra fee for bedding), and the carriages, not sealed from the heat and dust of India, can be quite grubby. Fares are higher than 3A owing to the fact that the preference of people shifted, resulting in FC becoming extinct.

Sleeper Class (SL) is the way most Indians travel and is an inexpensive way to get around the country. Berths are arranged in the same pattern as AC 3 Tier, six berths in a cabin and two along the side of the carriage, but there is no air-conditioning. The downside is that it can be hot, sweaty, and uncomfortable inside. The toilets are almost always dirty and, in some parts of India, you'll find yourself sharing your cabin with passengers without a reservation. In addition, the chaos and crush of people all trying to board a sleeper car may be highly stressful, especially with significant amounts of luggage or backpacks (as will be typical for Western travellers). Observe at a station before you are tempted to try it. Still, for the adventurous, this is one interesting way to see India. Chai-wallahs and hawkers selling all kinds of food (with the accent on local) roam the carriages and you may find yourself sharing food and life-stories with the lower middle class families that travel on this class.

AC Executive Chair Car (EC) is only available on some Shatabdi Express trains. It is extremely comfortable, and is the most comfortable way to travel during the daytime.

AC Chair Car (CC), found on most daytime intercity trains, is also quite comfortable, but the seats are not as wide as EC. It is advisable to travel on this class wherever possible, as 2S (see below) can get quite crowded, particularly on busy routes.

Second Class Chair Car (2S), available on most daytime intercity trains, is reserved seating in carriages without air-conditioning. Chair car seats are comfortably padded, but the heat and dust outside can make it an uncomfortable ride in summer. Also, it is usually used by the passengers with a "general" ticket, who use the seats by paying the fine (usually Rs15) to the TTE. There is every chance that you may end up in a seat with four people which is actually meant for 3. Also, if you find that there are too many empty seats while booking online, don't expect the compartment to be empty.

General compartments (UR/GEN) have uncomfortable wooden bench seats and the carriages are often packed with people sitting on the aisles and luggage racks. Not an advisable way to travel, even for short distances, except for the exceptionally tough and the curious travellers that are in it for the experience alone.

Before booking a ticket, pick up a copy of Trains At A Glance[14][15], the national rail timetable, from any railway station. This is updated every July and remains valid until the end of the next June. It allows you to choose the best train for your needs, and find the name and number of the train for your destination. However, this is a general guide and does not contain a detailed list of all stations, neither does it contain all the trains that ply. A more specific guide depending on the "rail zone" is available at important stations on that zone. For example, a detailed guide on trains plying in West India (i.e. the Western Zonal Timetable) will be available at all major railway stations in West India. You can also get the whole schedule online at Trains PNR Status. A list of trains operating between a given pair of stations can also be obtained online Trains PNR Status.Apart from this a wonderful technique is used where the technology of the sensors are utilised properly. Their is a system kept near the ticket counter in which you can enter the train number and spot the train in which you will be travelling and also the time at which the train arrive at the station and also if late it shows as to by how many minutes it the train late to the respective station. The Indian Railways is doing their best to serve the passengers in the best way possible.

There are two different types of tickets that can be booked online -- and again note that these require either an Indian mobile phone number (+91) or a copy of your passport to register:

An e-ticket (short for electronic ticket) is a ticket that is booked online and printed instantly. Valid proof of identity (voter ID card/ PAN card/ passport/ driving license) of any of the passengers should be produced along with the ticket on the day of the journey. As a traveler this is the ticket you'd typically need. The procedure for booking an e-ticket is as follows:

Login with your username and password. If it's the first time you're using the site, you need to sign up first, by providing your name, email id, mailing address, telephone number and occupation. (note: they only take mobile phones from within India that start with the 91 country code). If you don't have an Indian mobile number, just type a random number and follow-up by e-mail with their support team [email protected] requesting the OTP code by e-mail. Attach a scanned copy of your passport identity page to prove your identity; you will get the code in a few hours.

Type the station codes of the originating and destination stations, the date of journey and the class into the box in the centre of the screen, and select the 'e-ticket' check box.

Click on the Find Trains button. A list of trains operating between the given stations will appear.

Select the train of your choice from the list and click on the Book Ticket option. Before you do this, you can also check the fare, schedule etc. by clicking on the respective buttons.

A Ticket Reservation form will open on the page. Fill in the details and preferences of all the passengers (a maximum of six in a single booking), check the appropriate address box and click on the Go button.

A copy of your ticket with the details will appear on the screen. Click on the Make Payment button.

A list of banks opens up in a new window. Select your bank and give the details of your card (PIN number etc.). Note: You cannot use a foreign credit card to make a payment

The copy of your ticket with the details will reappear on the screen. You can Carry the printed copy/SMS sent on your Mobile/Electronic Copy on ipad, cellphone, laptop etc as well as a valid proof of identity with you on the day of your journey.

An i-ticket (short for internet ticket) is a ticket that is booked online, printed at an IR office and couriered to your (Indian) mailing address within 48 hours of booking. As a traveler, you'd only need this ticket if e-ticket is not available. The procedure for booking an i-ticket is as follows:

Login with your username and password. If it's the first time you're using the site, you need to sign up first, by providing your name, email id, mailing address, telephone number and occupation. (note: they only take mobile phones from within India that start with the 91 country code.)

Type the station codes of the originating and destination stations, the date of journey and the class into the box in the centre of the screen, and select the 'i-ticket' check box.

Click on the Find Trains button. A list of trains operating between the given stations will appear.

Select the train of your choice from the list and click on the Book Ticket option. Before you do this, you can also check the fare, schedule etc. by clicking on the respective buttons.

A Ticket Reservation form will open on the page. Fill in the details and preferences of all the passengers (a maximum of six in a single booking), check the appropriate address box and click on the Go button.

A copy of your ticket with the details will appear on the screen. Click on the Make Payment button.

A list of banks opens up in a new window. Select your bank and give the details of your card (PIN number etc.). If you are using a foreign (non-Indian) card, you must choose the "Axis" option.

A message confirming the booking will appear on the screen. The ticket will be delivered to the mailing address specified within 48 hours.

You can also book train tickets on Cleartrip[18] or Tripdunia[19] and check PNR Status[20] for train updates. Unlike most travel agencies this site links to Indian Railway web site, so you can see instant availability and confirmations. It only sells e-tickets. Cleartrip charges extra fee of 20 INR on top of ticket price, in exchange of somehow cleaner web site and accepting more payment options - it accepts Visa and Mastercard and doesn't seem to be picky about issuers (personal experience of using US and Japan-issued credit cards). Note that you would still need to get an OTP confirmation code, so see above. Ticket availability and cancellation policy is the same.

Both IRCTC and Cleartrip have Android apps as well.

Recently, 12Go Asia opened up an Indian train ticketing service on their website, which comes without the need of creating an IRCTC account. However, it still offers a limited scope of routes.

Note that tickets could be canceled for almost full refund (minus processing fee and service fees which depend on class, but typically up to 100 INR), so it is worth booking the trains well in advance when your plans are not fixed yet, and then cancel the unneeded trains.

Tickets are also sold at most railway stations and at Indian Railways' 1000-plus computerised passenger reservation centres located across the country.

For reservation at a counter, you need to fill in a paper form and submit it to the clerk at the counter (occasionally, after a long wait in a queue) along with the payment in either cash or by credit card. Note that there are separate procedures/counters for tickets >24 hours in advance versus the day-of travel. You are advised to make >24 hour advanced reservations as much as possible, as the lines and process for same-day tickets is highly chaotic. Also note that after trains have had "charting complete" (seats finalized and published, ticketing becomes much more complicated.

Credit cards are accepted at most important stations, but even this is spotty, so be prepared with cash. Counters in the metros and other important cities accept Visa, Mastercard, AmEx and Diners Card, as well as cards of most Indian banks. There are generally 1 to 3 counters where credit card payment is allowed, depending on the station.

Avoid travel agents, touts, or anyone else who offers to book your tickets for a fee. It is usually much easier (not to mention cheaper) to do it yourself. However, sometimes a hotel travel desk can be worth avoiding the headache, heat, and chaos of the train station confusion.

If you are booking from abroad, the easiest is to use the online service and print e-tickets at home. i-tickets can also be sent by local courier to addresses in India (not abroad) and most hotels willingly accept delivery if notified in advance. However, as noted above, you need an Indian mobile phone number to register for this service.

Train tickets are in high demand, especially during the summer (April-June) and winter (December-January) breaks. This means that without careful planning, it may be next to impossible to get tickets for long distance travel (for example from New Delhi to Mumbai). You can book up to 60 days in advance, but during the busy season, the tickets may get sold out quickly. So plan your journey well in advance.

Foreign nationals can get tickets from a quota reserved for them. In big cities, you have a specific counter or even a special office for them.

If booking at the Foreign Tourist Office at a rail station, be sure to know the cities you want to travel and from, the exact date, and the approximate time you want to travel. If you don't know these details, the ticket agents will help you for figuring out one, two, or three segments before making some excuse to stop serving you for a period of time, even if nobody else is waiting. If they stop serving you while people are waiting, everyone else will be served before you are served again.

If you plan to travel in 1A or XC, tickets should be easier to get - they are generally in less demand. Although, in view of increasing tourist population, even those seats are hard to get unless booked at least 5 days in advance.

If you do not get a Confirmed (CNF) ticket, you may get one that is Waitlisted (WL) or in the Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) status. If you've booked your ticket in advance, it will probably move from WL to RAC status or even to CNF status as time goes by (because of cancellations), so it is a good idea to check it periodically and keep your plans dynamic. Use the 10-digit Passenger Name Record (PNR) number, printed on the top right-hand corner of your ticket, to check the status of your ticket at any point of time, either on the website or by phone (dial 139, from any landline telephone in India). The number will read like WL32/WL14 or similar, with the structure being WL(original position)/WL(current position). Besides, you can also check PNR Status of Indian Railway or Irctc reservation either through their website [21] or by calling on 54959, 5676747, 57886 from your landlines or mobile phone. The best thing about this website is that its resources is not only limited to train but also you can explore many information about flights.

You cannot get on to a reserved compartment if your ticket is waitlisted (you can only enter a General Compartment if available). Waitlisted caught entering the train are treated as non-ticket holders and fined. But if you have an RAC ticket, you are allotted 'sitting' berths - i.e. in a Sleeper Coach, you and a fellow RAC ticket-holder share a berth so that both of you can travel sitting instead of sleeping. The Ticket Examiner then allots you a CNF sleeping berth as and when one is available due to last minute cancellations, no-shows etc. Depending on the train, the route and the season you are travelling in, the RAC ticket may get upgraded to CNF either as soon as the journey begins, mid-way through the journey or not at all. If you do not move up past a wait list (WL) ticket before the train leaves, you can apply for a refund, but only up to a maximum of a few hours after the train leaves (3 hours for short journeys, up to 12 hours for long journeys). If you bought your ticket online, a WL tickets receive an automatic refund.

If you are waitlisted with the PQ quota (and not General quota) this means the train destination is much further than the station you're leaving it. The railroad reserves most seats for the people going closer to the destination, so for example on the train 12562 / Swatantrta S Ex from Delhi to Varanasi you may get waitlisted ticket even if the train is mostly empty. This is because general quota (for travelers to Darbhanga) may have 16 seats, while PQ quota (for short route travelers) would have only 2 seats. If you really need to get on this train, however, you can try to book the ticket to further station - in this case to Chhapra - which will put you in a General quota and will have your ticket confirmed right away. Of course you would pay a little bit more, and would still leave the train in Varanasi, but in some cases it may be worth paying extra to get a confirmed berth.

Final berth listing will not be completed until at 4-hours prior to departure. Once the checked list is posted, often final cancellations and government official reservations are re-positioned which allow WL and RAC to move up in the queue. It is also possible that the list moves downward as officials are granted priority seating, and later confirmed seats become non-confirmed. Booking non-confirmed is really a gamble, but more often then not the seat will become available, especially if your earlier in the queue.

If you arrive at the station while still waitlisted, wait until the train arrives. A reservation list will be posted at the beginning of each class or tier. Locate your name according to reservation number. If your name is not listed, your ticket remains non-confirmed. Track personnel will also be able to assist you.

Boarding without accommodation may still be possible. The conductors are known to assist and turn a blind eye to providing foreigners and students available seats without a proper reservation. A bribe payment might be expected, use your own judgement. Any exchange will be discussed upfront immediately after departure, and expected to be completed upon arrival. Typically you will be placed in AC1 or AC2 alongside officials who will also be aware of your accommodation and will expect a partial payment as well. Because a number of seats are reserved for government officials in top tiers, it is easy for officials and conductors to "sell off" an accommodation to travelers.

Many trains keep a small quota of seats known as Tatkal (meaning 'immediate' ) for sale one day before the departure date. There is an extra charge for these seats. This option is also available at the time of booking online. Even with this extra quota (about 4% of the seats on a train) it can sometimes be difficult to get the train you want when you want it. For tatkal tickets cancellation no refund will be paid. Only four tickets can be booked at time. ID proof is must for Tatkal ticket booking.

The IndRail Pass is valid for all visitors to India. It is a pass which allows unlimited travel on all of IR's trains except:

Metro/Suburban Trains

Hill Railways

Luxury Tourist Trains

IndRail passes automatically expire 1 year from the date of issue. However, prior reservations are necessary. The IndRail Pass is generally not good value for money if you are staying for a month or more. However, if you choose to travel in Executive Chair Car for 2 or 3 journeys over a couple of days, it is indeed worth purchasing.

For the 1/2/3 months pass, the rate for children is half of the adult fare rounded up to the nearest 5 dollars.

For all other passes, the discount is 50% rounded off to the nearest 1 dollar.

Fares have to be paid in US $ or Indian Rs. However, the dollar rate is fixed and the Rupee rate changes according to the exchange rate.

Many important trains also have a tourist quota available for foreign travelers and holders of an IndRail pass. Payment must be in foreign currency, usually US Dollars or Pound Sterling, or in Indian Rupees backed with adequate proof of foreign exchange conversion (an ATM receipt is usually acceptable). A passport may also be required. There are very few seats available on this quota and, with tourism to India on an upswing, it is best to try for a seat at least two or three days in advance.

Even if you have an IndRail pass, reservations are compulsory. You cannot reserve tickets online using an IndRail pass.

IR runs suburban railways in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune. Kolkata, Bangalore and Delhi have subway (Metro) systems as well.
The Delhi Metro[22], the Bangalore Metro[23] and few rakes of Kolkata Metro are air-conditioned. The few rakes of Kolkata Metro and other suburban trains are not air conditioned. Local rail networks are often crowded, but are generally the fastest and cheapest way to get around cities which have them. Those who are not accustomed to it are advised not to travel in local trains as it might be quite troublesome for them to alight from the train at the correct station after pushing through a large crowd of other commuters.

Tram systems in India were built by the British in Kanpur, Calcutta, Mumbai and Chennai. Only the Calcutta trams remain. Although appreciated for being emissions-free, they are not very popular due to the painstakingly slow speeds. Tram lines are being removed in much of Kolkata. A project is going on to renovate the remaining tram tracks in Kolkata.

Hot food is available at mealtimes on almost every train in India. The food is mostly prepared in kitchens at railway stations and then loaded onto the train, either onto a pantry carriage attached to the train (on most important trains), or just brought on board by waiters and distributed directly to passengers. In most cases, a waiter collects orders an hour or two before mealtimes and if you don't place an order, you may be left out in the cold. However, in trains having a pantry car, breakfast is prepared on board the train and you do not have to place an order beforehand. You can tell which trains have a pantry car because there is a P listed with the classes available in Trains at a Glance. Meals available for lunch and dinner are generally vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis (rice, dal, a vegetable (chicken or fish curries for non-veg thalis), yogurt (often sour), chapatis and occasionally, a sweet dish) or (veg/egg/chicken) biryani. Chili chicken (sweet and sour chicken wings with chilis) is often available. Breakfast normally consists of vegetable cutlet (a veggie patty) and bread, or omelet and bread. Pantry car service always includes the sale of tea, coffee, cold drinks and "namkeen" (chips and other salty snacks). Note that while pantry cars mostly re-distribute food, they do have a small kitchen and, if you're sick of the daal/chappati that shows up in the thali, it doesn't hurt to visit the pantry car and see if they can rustle up an omelet or some fresh chicken curry with parathas. The quality of food varies, with the fare being better in the North and West. Moreover, concepts of hygiene, taste, cuisine changes from region to region.

Most pantry cars and restaurants at stations are now managed by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)[24]). IRCTC provides satisfactory quality and hygienic food aboard trains and at stations. IRCTC kiosks are ubiquitous where one can find snacks/breakfast/packed foods/ biscuits/ cookies/ mineral water etc. At major stations, IRCTC has licensed Comesum [25] to open fine-dine restaurants.However food has been one area where Indian Railways has been criticized. To tackle this area, railways launched ecatering [26] which is an on demand food service. You can also download the android app Food On Track
Brands like Dominos deliver fresh pizzas at your seat upon arrival at the chosen station.

On the Rajdhanis and Shatabdis, all meals are included in the fare and are served at your seat at mealtimes.

If you are finicky, bring enough food and bottled water for the journey including delays: bananas, bread, and candy bars are good basics to have. Most important stations will have vendors selling all kinds of edible stuff, but the usual caveats about eating in India apply. Often, snacks and food reflect local specialities and, in the case of cooked food, are quite safe to eat.

Smoking and consumption of alcohol on all trains and at all railway stations is prohibited. There is a steep fine for violation of these rules.

However, you might find people smoking by hiding in toilets. Don't fall prey to cravings as the fine is big and you might even be prosecuted.Carry a nicotine gum instead.

Most larger Indian train stations offer a standard set of facilities including cloak rooms to leave your luggage (slow and bureaucratic but cheap and reasonably safe; you must lock your own bag and show a ticket), First class waiting rooms (no touts or beggars), a computerised reservation office for advance bookings and a booking office for unreserved/same-day tickets. Restaurant facilities vary widely.

Several railway stations also have touchscreen kiosks which help you track your train (real-time running information) and also provide a host of other details regarding bookings, schedules etc.

All railway stations in India have signs in English mentioning the station name and details of facilities at the station. If you are still in doubt, asking around might be a bit of a problem because of the language barrier. In such circumstances, and in case of an emergency of any sort, contact the station master or the station superintendent for assistance. All station masters and superintendents speak English and will help you out.

Always watch your bags, especially in and around train stations. Once on a train, chain and lock your bags to the hooks provided under the lowest bunk, or keep them at your head. Make sure to also lock any exterior pockets (keep your toilet paper, and anything else you'll want on the outside). You can buy chains from chain-and-lock sellers who walk around .

The top (UB) and side upper (SU) bunks are best if you are the sort who likes to sleep early or late. The middle (MB) and bottom (LB) bunks are converted into seating area, so you will be forced to stay awake if everyone else in your compartment wants to stay up. Side lower (SL) and middle (SM) bunks are a great idea if you want a window seat, but they are a bit smaller than the other bunks, so don't choose them if you are a tall person. Note that 1A and FC classes do not have MB, SL or SU bunks, while 2A does not have MB or SM bunks.

Don't just look at a map and assume a short trip, it's best to check Trains at a Glance before making your plans.

Restrooms on Indian trains are usually of the squat variety (most carriages have two squat-type and two sit-down type toilets). The cleanliness tends to deteriorate over the duration of a journey, but on longer trips toilets are cleaned at intermediate stations. Washbasins are provided both inside and outside the toilets. Shower cubicles are available only on AC First carriages in Rajdhani Express trains.

Do not take food from any unknown passenger if they insist to do so. Just avoid it with some sweet words. Otherwise you may not be able to distinguish between a thief (he/she'll intoxicate you) and a true passenger.

In all the states, all the non-AC coaches can be over-crowded because of local ticket-less passengers. At the time you may not find an authority to complain. So, better to adjust in the situation and try not to argue and complain. AC coaches are safe from this problem.

People who serve you inside an AC wagon, like the pantry boys, or the AC attendant (who would provide you blankets, sheets and pillows) all expect passengers to tip them. If you are not very forthcoming, they approach you for a tip either during the journey or near the ending hours of the journey, so its advisable to give a small tip in the range of inr 10 or inr 20.

In all reserved coaches(AC and sleeper {from 1'st dec 2012} ) an identity card is needed per ticket (PNR). Foreigners also may carry their passports as valid id.

Pay the IRCTC rate (printed in ticket) for Pantry car food - Indian Railways is well known for its widespread corruption in the private Pantry vendors. Except special trains such as Rajdhani, Duronto, Shatabdi and like; where food is included in Fare and is often good; food in all other trains are usually 100% over priced illegally by Pantry staff. Despite numerous number of complaints by passengers this issue has never been solved. There is a complaint book in Pantry Car, where you can lodge the complaint - most times arguing with Pantry staff will make them take actual price. Stop black money spread.

Retiring rooms are available at most major railway stations across the country. They offer basic facilities including a bed, mattress, blankets, drinking water, closet, restroom (and in the case of airconditioned rooms) a television. One has to produce a reserved journey ticket in order to be able to book retiring rooms.

Dormitories, both airconditioned and non-airconditioned, are available at almost all railway stations in India.